In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, hosts Courtney Williams and Travis Vangsnes welcome Greg and Sam Hollback, a couple who have adopted two Native American daughters through the I Belong Project. They discuss their life in Daytona Beach, their community engagement, and their professional backgrounds in youth advocacy and education.

The Hollbacks share their adoption journey, including the challenges and joys of finding their daughters, the importance of cultural considerations in adoption, and how they incorporate Lakota heritage into their family life. They reflect on their experiences as a multicultural family and the significance of belonging and identity for their children.

Checkout our free webinars on practical and relevant foster care and adoption topics
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Learn more about Youth Advocate Programs:
https://www.yapinc.org/

Takeaways

• Living in Daytona Beach offers a unique lifestyle for families.
• Adoption processes can take time and require patience.
• Cultural understanding is crucial in the adoption journey.
• Incorporating a child's heritage can enrich family life.
• Community engagement is important for personal fulfillment.
• Children need time and attention to adjust in new environments.
• Adopting cross-culturally requires sensitivity and awareness.
• Language learning can strengthen family bonds and cultural identity.
• The importance of being accepted as a family in diverse communities.
• Adoption is about love and connection, not perfection.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Courtney and Travis engage in a deep conversation with Isaac Etter, a transracial adoptee and social entrepreneur. They explore the complexities of adoption, particularly transracial adoption, and the grief that often accompanies it. Isaac shares his personal journey, highlighting the importance of open conversations about race and identity within adoptive families. The discussion also touches on cultural differences, code switching, and the concept of ghost kingdoms, emphasizing the need for unconditional love and understanding in the adoption process.

Takeaways

• Isaac was adopted at age two and faced challenges in understanding his identity.
• Adoption is complex and often involves grief and loss.
• Conversations about race should be normalized in transracial families.
• Grief in adoption can manifest during significant life transitions.
• Cultural differences play a crucial role in shaping identity for adoptees.
• Code switching is a common experience for transracial adoptees.
• Ghost kingdoms represent unexpressed curiosity about birth families.
• Unconditional love is essential for adopted youth.
• Adoptees often need compassion and grace as they navigate their identities.
• Open dialogues about race can help adoptees feel secure in their identities.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, host Brian Mavis and co-host Courtney engage with Pam Bauer, a mother of 14 adopted children, to discuss the complexities of adoption, grief, and parenting. Pam shares her insights on the challenges of raising a large family, the importance of addressing grief in adopted children, and the need for open conversations about their birth families. The discussion emphasizes the significance of understanding loss, building connections, and providing emotional support to adopted children as they navigate their unique journeys.

Takeaways

• Adopted children often experience grief related to their biological families.
• Grief can be an opportunity for attachment and healing.
• Open conversations about adoption are crucial for children's understanding.
• Children may feel divided loyalties between adoptive and biological parents.
• Rituals can help children process their grief and loss.
• Understanding emotions and body language is essential in parenting adopted children.
• Grief is a lifelong journey that evolves over time.
• Adoptive parents should encourage their children to express their feelings.
• Children need to know they are loved and valued regardless of their background.
• It's important to recognize the mixed emotions surrounding adoption.

Whether you’re considering becoming a foster parent or just want to better understand the adoption ecosystem, this conversation offers wisdom, hope, and practical insight from someone who’s lived it out for decades.

In this kickoff to National Adoption Month, host Brian Mavis sits down with his cohosts (and adoptive parents) Courtney and Travis to discuss the real-world challenges and beauty of adoption. Together they unpack common myths about adoption, share their own powerful stories—from fostering to international adoption—and explore the ethical and emotional complexities that come with saying “yes” to a child.

Key topics covered:

• Their family stories: international adoption, adoption through foster care, and breaking “birth order”
• The biggest myths about adoption—cost, home ownership, and who’s eligible
• Why “foster to adopt” isn’t the right mindset
• The ethical advantages of adoption through foster care
• The “marriage of adoption” and the lifelong commitment it represents
• What support (and lack thereof) adoptive families can expect
• The I Belong Project and how it’s helping connect waiting kids with forever families
• Practical, heartfelt advice for those considering adoption

Whether you’re just exploring adoption or already in the process, this episode offers honest insight, encouragement, and direction from those who’ve lived it.

Resources Mentioned

• America’s Kids Belong – www.americaskidsbelong.org

• Learn more about the I Belong Project and watch videos of kids waiting for adoption
• Explore “The Fostering Front Door” to learn about ways to get involved

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Courtney Williams and Brian Mavis discuss the themes of foster care and adoption as outlined in Brian's book, Upstream. They explore the importance of self-assessment for potential foster parents, the preparation needed for welcoming a child, and the realities of transitioning from foster care to adoption. The conversation emphasizes the need for community support, the role of businesses and faith communities in fostering a supportive environment, and the introduction of the Foster Friendly app as a resource for families. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to take their next steps in supporting foster care and adoption efforts.

Grab a copy of Go Upstream: Diving into Foster Care To Heal 10 Social Wounds

Takeaways

• Self-reflection is crucial before becoming a foster parent.
• Creating a safe and welcoming environment is essential for children.
• Adoption is a journey that involves ongoing support and understanding.
• Community support is vital for the success of foster families.
• Businesses can play a significant role in supporting foster care initiatives.
• Faith communities can provide essential resources and support for foster families.
• The Foster Friendly app connects families with local resources and support.
• Every small action can contribute to a larger impact in foster care.
• Understanding trauma is key to supporting children in foster care.
• Flexibility in approach is important for foster and adoptive families.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, host Courtney Williams and co-host Travis Vangsnes welcome Liz Sutherland, a former foster youth and author. Liz shares her journey through foster care, the challenges of aging out, and the importance of resilience and support.

She discusses her experiences of finding family in unexpected places, the power of education, and the impact of her memoir, 'No Ordinary Liz.' Liz also highlights the need for kindness and unconditional love for children in foster care, and her hopes for her children's book, 'The Extraordinary Story of No Ordinary Liz,' to foster understanding and compassion.

Checkout her books:

The Extraordinary Story of No Ordinary Liz

No Ordinary Liz: Surviving and Thriving After Foster Care

Takeaways

• Liz Sutherland is a former foster youth and author.
• She entered foster care at age 13 after an abusive home life.
• Aging out of foster care means turning 18 and becoming independent.
• Support from strangers was crucial for Liz during her transition to adulthood.
• Education became a key focus for Liz to build a better future.
• Liz found a sense of family and belonging while working at Walmart.
• Reuniting with her siblings was a pivotal moment in Liz's life.
• Writing her memoir was a therapeutic process for Liz.
• Liz aims to inspire others through her story and advocacy.
• Unconditional love is essential for children in foster care.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, host Brian Mavis and co-host Travis Vangsnes engage with Jason Weber, a seasoned advocate for foster care and co-founder of the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO). They explore Jason's journey into fostering, the challenges faced in the foster care system, and the importance of community collaboration.

Jason emphasizes the need for unconditional love and support for children in foster care, while also discussing the vision of 'More Than Enough' to ensure every child has a safe and loving environment. The conversation highlights the significance of building relationships and working together to create effective solutions for vulnerable children and families.

Checkout all the great resources at More Than Enough

Grab a copy of Jason's book: Until There's More Than Enough

Takeaways

• Jason Weber has been working with vulnerable children and families for 28 years.
• Foster care is about restoring families, not just caring for children.
• The journey into fostering often begins with a personal commitment to serve.
• Collaboration among community members is essential for effective foster care solutions.
• The Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO) was formed to unite organizations working in foster care and adoption.
• More Than Enough is a vision to ensure every child has an ideal placement.
• Children in foster care need unconditional love and support from their communities.
• The government alone cannot solve the foster care crisis; it requires community involvement.
• Building relationships is key to successful collaboration in foster care.
• Love is defined as doing what is best for another person, regardless of the cost.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Courtney and Brian Mavis delve into the critical social issues surrounding foster care, including homelessness, incarceration, teen pregnancy, and generational foster care. They discuss the alarming statistics related to these social wounds and emphasize the importance of family connections and mentorship in preventing these issues. The conversation highlights personal stories and insights, aiming to raise awareness and encourage community involvement in supporting foster youth.

Grab a copy of Go Upstream: Diving into Foster Care To Heal 10 Social Wounds

Takeaways

• One in five youth aging out of foster care become homeless immediately.
• Connections and relationships are crucial for preventing homelessness.
• Teen pregnancy among foster youth is often a desire for family.
• Generational foster care perpetuates cycles of disadvantage.
• Mentorship can provide essential life skills to foster youth.
• Foster care is a significant predictor of future incarceration.
• Housing alone does not solve the problem; connection is key.
• Support for foster youth should include practical life skills training.
• Community involvement can make a difference in the lives of foster youth.
• Wisdom and worth are essential in preventing teen pregnancy.